RuPaul on Why Identity Shouldn't Be Taken Seriously, But Loving Yourself Should

RuPaul Charles is the the world’s most famous drag queen, and for good reason. His beloved, Emmy-winning reality TV show RuPaul’s DragRace has brought drag to the forefront of pop culture — even if RuPaul would be the first to protest that drag will never be mainstream. However, it isn’t just the Drag Race empire that’s brought RuPaul widespread acclaim: The TIME 100 member has also made a name for himself as an author, actor, recording artist and a bona fide business mogul, in addition to maintaining his status as the uncontested supermodel of the world.

For all of his accomplishments, however, RuPaul’s approach to life is refreshingly light-hearted: don’t take yourself too seriously. In a video interview with TIME, he shares how drag culture helps to pare down what’s serious and not—especially when it comes to identity, life and love.

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“I learned early on—don’t take life too seriously,” he says. “There are things you should take seriously like loving yourself, allowing other people to love you, which is a big one. Most of the other things are really not that serious.”

His work has reinforced that belief system: “Drag has always served a purpose,” he says. “The purpose is to remind people to not take themselves too seriously. We mock identity. A lot of people get angry… Identity is not to be taken seriously. We show people we’re shape shifters. We are God in drag. That’s our role — is to remind people of that.”